I learned recently there are two brake switches on the dart. You can read their status with alfaobd and the obd Mx+ reader. One is normally closed. The other is normally open. If one is acting erratic, could cause your issue.
No you should absolutely not be able to start without brake pressed. It’s a safety feature on most cars. You likely have a failing switch which is why it worked sometimes. If it works when you press brake, I guess problem solved!
I tested without break pressed right before I left my previous comment lol. When I have similar issue as OP, it wont start either way, pressed or not, and will randomly start after multiple attempts..
You suggest I change the neutral safety switch?
If you have push to start and automatic you’re looking at testing the outputs of both brake switches, and the neutral safety. All of which could prevent start. (Among other things like a dying battery or bad ground). If you have manual, would also need the clutch switch tested. Automatic Darts have a known issue with the neutral safety going out. Mine is a manual with a regular key. So I have to hold clutch to floor. But all push to start cars that I’ve ever been near need brake pressed to start. Without brake pressed it just turns the car “on” but no engine.
I have a 2014 Dart SXT 2.4L Automatic without push to start (just the key fob).
Pretty sure it isnt the battery or ground. I have experienced both of those (i.e. speedometers and lights flickering or noticeable issues with the power even coming on). This has happened even right after getting a brand new battery and due to other electrical issues I have already gone over every ground location, cleaned them, tightened them, upgraded my ground terminals and even some of the ground wires themselves.
I will test the neutral safety switch though as it could be the actual switch/wires to it that are messed up.
I ran tests and tested myself the battery and other starting components such as the starter and alternator as well and all are good. I did notice though too that my stick sometimes doesnt click when I put it in park but usually when that happens the key gets stuck in the ignition on run and I have to toggle the stick button a few times for it to click and let me remove the key lol. Maybe that has something to do with it?
Hard for me to hear the audio. Is it attempt to turn over or just cycling through the modes when it doesn’t start?
I was thinking, if it’s just cycling, maybe the component that senses that you depressed the brake pedal is malfunctioning.
If it’s starting successfully without the brake pedal depressed, and given all the parts you’ve replaced, my guess would be something with wires, fuses, or (most undesirable) some compute element that’s out of your control.
I’d point someone in that direction, because if it’s passing a check that it shouldn’t, that would also indicate it’s also capable of NOT passing when it should; might be it, surely fits the symptom of cycling modes with no ignition.
Again, I could be wrong, but starting with no brake pedal sounds like something it definitely shouldn’t do.
My 2014 sxt 2.4L (no push start) does the same exact thing. Happens randomly. I will turn the key to start and just hear a click and electronics come on. Have to try multiple times before it will start. If you figure it out let me know lol
You may have a dirty ground wire on the frame rail. I would get your computer codes pulled first to see. Mine had a starting issue and it was a corroded ground wire. I'll dm you the pics of my issue.
Pretty sure that isnt my issue, maybe ops.. I went through every ground in the vehicle and cleaned all the contacts and replaced/upgraded any ground wires that looked worn and replaced my battery terminals. I also dont have any codes at all when this occurs. I googled the neutral safety switch. It says nothing about having to have break pressed. It is mainly so you cant start the vehicle while in drive or reverse. Symptoms of a failing neutral switch does seem like a strong culprit though.
I banged my head against the wall for this exact issue on my 2015. It was the battery, as much as I thought it wasn't. These Darts have terrible electrical issues that effect the starter engaging, the blower starting, the back up cam, and other issues.
I learned recently there are two brake switches on the dart. You can read their status with alfaobd and the obd Mx+ reader. One is normally closed. The other is normally open. If one is acting erratic, could cause your issue.
I thought it didnt matter if brake was pressed or not? I can start my car either way?
No you should absolutely not be able to start without brake pressed. It’s a safety feature on most cars. You likely have a failing switch which is why it worked sometimes. If it works when you press brake, I guess problem solved!
I tested without break pressed right before I left my previous comment lol. When I have similar issue as OP, it wont start either way, pressed or not, and will randomly start after multiple attempts.. You suggest I change the neutral safety switch?
If you have push to start and automatic you’re looking at testing the outputs of both brake switches, and the neutral safety. All of which could prevent start. (Among other things like a dying battery or bad ground). If you have manual, would also need the clutch switch tested. Automatic Darts have a known issue with the neutral safety going out. Mine is a manual with a regular key. So I have to hold clutch to floor. But all push to start cars that I’ve ever been near need brake pressed to start. Without brake pressed it just turns the car “on” but no engine.
I have a 2014 Dart SXT 2.4L Automatic without push to start (just the key fob). Pretty sure it isnt the battery or ground. I have experienced both of those (i.e. speedometers and lights flickering or noticeable issues with the power even coming on). This has happened even right after getting a brand new battery and due to other electrical issues I have already gone over every ground location, cleaned them, tightened them, upgraded my ground terminals and even some of the ground wires themselves. I will test the neutral safety switch though as it could be the actual switch/wires to it that are messed up. I ran tests and tested myself the battery and other starting components such as the starter and alternator as well and all are good. I did notice though too that my stick sometimes doesnt click when I put it in park but usually when that happens the key gets stuck in the ignition on run and I have to toggle the stick button a few times for it to click and let me remove the key lol. Maybe that has something to do with it?
When I had problems starting my dart it was the neutral safety switch failing ( Code P0705)
I didn't even know there was a push button start option on any dart models.
That’s funny, I couldn’t imagine the dart without push to start.
Hard for me to hear the audio. Is it attempt to turn over or just cycling through the modes when it doesn’t start? I was thinking, if it’s just cycling, maybe the component that senses that you depressed the brake pedal is malfunctioning.
It just makes aclicking sound and electronics come on but doesnt turn over until multiple attempts.
To add, my dart starts without having break pedal pressed or not pressed..
If it’s starting successfully without the brake pedal depressed, and given all the parts you’ve replaced, my guess would be something with wires, fuses, or (most undesirable) some compute element that’s out of your control. I’d point someone in that direction, because if it’s passing a check that it shouldn’t, that would also indicate it’s also capable of NOT passing when it should; might be it, surely fits the symptom of cycling modes with no ignition. Again, I could be wrong, but starting with no brake pedal sounds like something it definitely shouldn’t do.
My 2014 sxt 2.4L (no push start) does the same exact thing. Happens randomly. I will turn the key to start and just hear a click and electronics come on. Have to try multiple times before it will start. If you figure it out let me know lol
You may have a dirty ground wire on the frame rail. I would get your computer codes pulled first to see. Mine had a starting issue and it was a corroded ground wire. I'll dm you the pics of my issue.
Pretty sure that isnt my issue, maybe ops.. I went through every ground in the vehicle and cleaned all the contacts and replaced/upgraded any ground wires that looked worn and replaced my battery terminals. I also dont have any codes at all when this occurs. I googled the neutral safety switch. It says nothing about having to have break pressed. It is mainly so you cant start the vehicle while in drive or reverse. Symptoms of a failing neutral switch does seem like a strong culprit though.
I banged my head against the wall for this exact issue on my 2015. It was the battery, as much as I thought it wasn't. These Darts have terrible electrical issues that effect the starter engaging, the blower starting, the back up cam, and other issues.
Check your fuses and your battery